Human kinases and polynucleotides encoding the same

ABSTRACT

Novel human polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences are disclosed that can be used in therapeutic, diagnostic, and pharmacogenomic applications.

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/206,015 which was filed on May 19, 2000 and is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

1. INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to the discovery, identification, andcharacterization of novel human polynucleotides encoding proteins thatshare sequence similarity with animal kinases. The invention encompassesthe described polynucleotides, host cell expression systems, the encodedproteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to theencoded proteins and peptides, and genetically engineered animals thateither lack or over express the disclosed genes, antagonists andagonists of the proteins, and other compounds that modulate theexpression or activity of the proteins encoded by the disclosed genesthat can be used for diagnosis, drug screening, clinical trialmonitoring, the treatment of diseases and disorders, or cosmetic ornutriceutical applications.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kinases mediate the phosphorylation of a wide variety of proteins andcompounds in the cell. Along with phosphatases, kinases are involved ina range of regulatory pathways. Given the physiological importance ofkinases, they have been subject to intense scrutiny and are proven drugtargets.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery, identification, andcharacterization of nucleotides that encode novel human proteins and thecorresponding amino acid sequences of these proteins. The novel humanproteins (NHPs) described for the first time herein share structuralsimilarity with animal kinases, including, but not limited to mitogenactivated protein (MAP) kinases, serine/threonine protein kinases,P21-activated protein kinases, and NPK1-related protein kinases. Assuch, the novel polynucleotides encode novel kinases having homologuesand orthologs across a range of phyla and species.

The novel human polynucleotides described herein, encode open readingframes (ORFS) encoding proteins of 2382, 2245, 982, 2229, 2092, 829,2136, 1999, 2354, 2217, 954, 2201, 2064, 801, 2108, 1971, 2322, 2185,922, 2169, 2032, 769, 2076, 1939, 2294, 2157, 894, 2141, 2004, 741,2048, and 1911 amino acids in length (see respectively SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4,6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40,42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 60, 62, and 64).

The invention also encompasses agonists and antagonists of the describedNHPs, including small molecules, large molecules, mutant NHPs, orportions thereof that compete with native NHPs, NHP peptides, andantibodies, as well as nucleotide sequences that can be used to inhibitthe expression of the described NHPs (e.g., antisense and ribozymemolecules, and gene or regulatory sequence replacement constructs) or toenhance the expression of the described NHP polynucleotides (e.g.,expression constructs that place the described gene under the control ofa strong promoter system). The present invention also includes bothtransgenic animals that express a NHP transgene, and NHP “knock-outs”(which can be conditional) that do not express a functional NHP. To thisend, several gene trapped knockout ES cells have been generated inmurine homologs of the described NHPs. When the unique NHP sequencesdescribed in SEQ ID NOS:1-64 are “knocked-out” they provide a method ofidentifying phenotypic expression of the particular gene as well as amethod of assigning function to previously unknown genes. Homozygousmutants in which both copies of the described NHP gene have beendisrupted, die prior to birth. Therefore these NHP play a critical rolein metabolism or development. Additionally, the unique NHP sequencesdescribed in SEQ ID NOS:1-64 are useful for the identification of codingsequence and the mapping a unique gene to a particular chromosome.

Further, the present invention also relates to processes for identifyingcompounds that modulate, i.e., act as agonists or antagonists, of NHPexpression and/or NHP product activity that utilize purifiedpreparations of the described NHPs and/or NHP product, or cellsexpressing the same. Such compounds can be used as therapeutic agentsfor the treatment of any of a wide variety of symptoms associated withbiological disorders or imbalances.

4. DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCE LISTING AND FIGURES

The Sequence Listing provides the sequence of the novel human ORFsencoding the described novel human kinase proteins.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The NHPs, described for the first time herein, are novel proteins thatare expressed in, inter alia, human cell lines, and human fetal brain,brain, pituitary, cerebellum, spinal cord, thymus, spleen, lymph node,bone marrow, trachea, kidney, prostate, testis, thyroid, adrenal gland,pancreas, salivary gland, stomach, small intestine, colon, skeletalmuscle, uterus, placenta, mammary gland, adipose, esophagus, bladder,cervix, rectum, pericardium, hypothalamus, ovary, fetal kidney, fetallung, and gene trapped cells. The described sequences were compiled fromgene trapped sequences in conjunction with sequences available inGENBANK, and cDNAs a brain library (Edge Biosystems, Gaithersburg, Md.).

The present invention encompasses the nucleotides presented in theSequence Listing, host cells expressing such nucleotides, the expressionproducts of such nucleotides, and: (a) nucleotides that encode mammalianhomologs of the described genes, including the specifically describedNHPs, and the NHP products; (b) nucleotides that encode one or moreportions of an NHP that correspond to functional domains, and thepolypeptide products specified by such nucleotide sequences, includingbut not limited to the novel regions of any active domain(s); (c)isolated nucleotides that encode mutant versions, engineered ornaturally occurring, of the described NHPs in which all or a part of atleast one domain is deleted or altered, and the polypeptide productsspecified by such nucleotide sequences, including but not limited tosoluble proteins and peptides in which all or a portion of the signalsequence is deleted; (d) nucleotides that encode chimeric fusionproteins containing all or a portion of a coding region of a NHP, or oneof its domains (e.g., a receptor/ligand binding domain, accessoryprotein/self-association domain, etc.) fused to another peptide orpolypeptide; or (e) therapeutic or diagnostic derivatives of thedescribed polynucleotides such as oligonucleotides, antisensepolynucleotides, ribozymes, dsRNA, or gene therapy constructs comprisinga sequence first disclosed in the Sequence Listing. As discussed above,the present invention includes: (a) the human DNA sequences presented inthe Sequence Listing (and vectors comprising the same) and additionallycontemplates any nucleotide sequence encoding a contiguous NHP openreading frame (ORF) that hybridizes to a complement of a DNA sequencepresented in the Sequence Listing under highly stringent conditions,e.g., hybridization to filter-bound DNA in 0.5 M NaHPO₄, 7% sodiumdodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1 mM EDTA at 65° C., and washing in 0.1×SSC/0.1%SDS at 68° C. (Ausubel F. M. et al., eds., 1989, Current Protocols inMolecular Biology, Vol. I, Green Publishing Associates, Inc., and JohnWiley & sons, Inc., New York, at p. 2.10.3) and encodes a functionallyequivalent gene product. Additionally contemplated are any nucleotidesequences that hybridize to the complement of the DNA sequence thatencode and express an amino acid sequence presented in the SequenceListing under moderately stringent conditions, e.g., washing in0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at 42° C. (Ausubel et al., 1989, supra), yet stillencode a functionally equivalent NHP product. Functional equivalents ofa NHP include naturally occurring NHPs present in other species andmutant NHPs whether naturally occurring or engineered (by site directedmutagenesis, gene shuffling, directed evolution as described in, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,458). The invention also includesdegenerate nucleic acid variants of the disclosed NHP polynucleotidesequences.

Additionally contemplated are polynucleotides encoding NHP ORFs, ortheir functional equivalents, encoded by polynucleotide sequences thatare about 99, 95, 90, or about 85 percent similar to correspondingregions of SEQ ID NO:1 (as measured by BLAST sequence comparisonanalysis using, for example, the GCG sequence analysis package usingdefault parameters).

The invention also includes nucleic acid molecules, preferably DNAmolecules, that hybridize to, and are therefore the complements of, thedescribed NHP encoding polynucleotides. Such hybridization conditionscan be highly stringent or less highly stringent, as described above. Ininstances where the nucleic acid molecules are deoxyoligonucleotides(“DNA oligos”), such molecules are generally about 16 to about 100 baseslong, or about 20 to about 80, or about 34 to about 45 bases long, orany variation or combination of sizes represented therein thatincorporate a contiguous region of sequence first disclosed in theSequence Listing. Such oligonucleotides can be used in conjunction withthe polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to screen libraries, isolate clones,and prepare cloning and sequencing templates, etc.

Alternatively, such NHP oligonucleotides can be used as hybridizationprobes for screening libraries, and assessing gene expression patterns(particularly using a micro array or high-throughput “chip” format).Additionally, a series of the described NHP oligonucleotide sequences,or the complements thereof, can be used to represent all or a portion ofthe described NHP sequences. An oligonucleotide or polynucleotidesequence first disclosed in at least a portion of one or more of thesequences of SEQ ID NOS:1-64 can be used as a hybridization probe inconjunction with a solid support matrix/substrate (resins, beads,membranes, plastics, polymers, metal or metallized substrates,crystalline or polycrystalline substrates, etc.). Of particular note arespatially addressable arrays (i.e., gene chips, microtiter plates, etc.)of oligonucleotides and polynucleotides, or corresponding oligopeptidesand polypeptides, wherein at least one of the biopolymers present on thespatially addressable array comprises an oligonucleotide orpolynucleotide sequence first disclosed in at least one of the sequencesof SEQ ID NOS:1-64, or an amino acid sequence encoded thereby. Methodsfor attaching biopolymers to, or synthesizing biopolymers on, solidsupport matrices, and conducting binding studies thereon are disclosedin, inter alia, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,700,637, 5,556,752, 5,744,305,4,631,211, 5,445,934, 5,252,743, 4,713,326, 5,424,186, and 4,689,405 thedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

Addressable arrays comprising sequences first disclosed in SEQ IDNOS:1-64 can be used to identify and characterize the temporal andtissue specific expression of a gene. These addressable arraysincorporate oligonucleotide sequences of sufficient length to confer therequired specificity, yet be within the limitations of the productiontechnology. The length of these probes is within a range of betweenabout 8 to about 2000 nucleotides. Preferably the probes consist of 60nucleotides and more preferably 25 nucleotides from the sequences firstdisclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-64.

For example, a series of the described oligonucleotide sequences, or thecomplements thereof, can be used in chip format to represent all or aportion of the described sequences. The oligonucleotides, typicallybetween about 16 to about 40 (or any whole number within the statedrange) nucleotides in length can partially overlap each other and/or thesequence may be represented using oligonucleotides that do not overlap.Accordingly, the described polynucleotide sequences shall typicallycomprise at least about two or three distinct oligonucleotide sequencesof at least about 8 nucleotides in length that are each first disclosedin the described Sequence Listing. Such oligonucleotide sequences canbegin at any nucleotide present within a sequence in the SequenceListing and proceed in either a sense (5′-to-3′) orientation vis-a-visthe described sequence or in an antisense orientation.

Microarray-based analysis allows the discovery of broad patterns ofgenetic activity, providing new understanding of gene functions andgenerating novel and unexpected insight into transcriptional processesand biological mechanisms. The use of addressable arrays comprisingsequences first disclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-64 provides detailedinformation about transcriptional changes involved in a specificpathway, potentially leading to the identification of novel componentsor gene functions that manifest themselves as novel phenotypes.

Probes consisting of sequences first disclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-64 canalso be used in the identification, selection and validation of novelmolecular targets for drug discovery. The use of these unique sequencespermits the direct confirmation of drug targets and recognition of drugdependent changes in gene expression that are modulated through pathwaysdistinct from the drugs intended target. These unique sequencestherefore also have utility in defining and monitoring both drug actionand toxicity.

As an example of utility, the sequences first disclosed in SEQ IDNOS:1-64 can be utilized in microarrays or other assay formats, toscreen collections of genetic material from patients who have aparticular medical condition. These investigations can also be carriedout using the sequences first disclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-64 in silico andby comparing previously collected genetic databases and the disclosedsequences using computer software known to those in the art.

Thus the sequences first disclosed in SEQ ID NOS:1-64 can be used toidentify mutations associated with a particular disease and also as adiagnostic or prognostic assay.

Although the presently described sequences have been specificallydescribed using nucleotide sequence, it should be appreciated that eachof the sequences can uniquely be described using any of a wide varietyof additional structural attributes, or combinations thereof. Forexample, a given sequence can be described by the net composition of thenucleotides present within a given region of the sequence in conjunctionwith the presence of one or more specific oligonucleotide sequence(s)first disclosed in the SEQ ID NOS:1-64. Alternatively, a restriction mapspecifying the relative positions of restriction endonuclease digestionsites, or various palindromic or other specific oligonucleotidesequences can be used to structurally describe a given sequence. Suchrestriction maps, which are typically generated by widely availablecomputer programs (e.g., the University of Wisconsin GCG sequenceanalysis package, SEQUENCHER 3.0, Gene Codes Corp., Ann Arbor, Mich.,etc.), can optionally be used in conjunction with one or more discretenucleotide sequence(s) present in the sequence that can be described bythe relative position of the sequence relative to one or more additionalsequence(s) or one or more restriction sites present in the disclosedsequence.

For oligonucleotide probes, highly stringent conditions may refer, e.g.,to washing in 6×SSC/0.05% sodium pyrophosphate at 37° C. (for 14-baseoligos), 48° C. (for 17-base oligos), 55° C. (for 20-base oligos), and60° C. (for 23-base oligos). These nucleic acid molecules may encode oract as NHP gene antisense molecules, useful, for example, in NHP generegulation (for and/or as antisense primers in amplification reactionsof NHP gene nucleic acid sequences). With respect to NHP generegulation, such techniques can be used to regulate biologicalfunctions. Further, such sequences can be used as part of ribozymeand/or triple helix sequences that are also useful for NHP generegulation.

Inhibitory antisense or double stranded oligonucleotides canadditionally comprise at least one modified base moiety which isselected from the group including but not limited to 5-fluorouracil,5-bromouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 5-iodouracil, hypoxanthine, xantine,4-acetylcytosine, 5-(carboxyhydroxylmethyl)uracil,5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine,5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil,beta-D-galactosylqueosine, inosine, N6-isopentenyladenine,1-methylguanine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 2-methyladenine,2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-adenine,7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil,5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine,5′-methoxycarboxymethyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil,2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v),wybutoxosine, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine,5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil,uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v),5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 3-(3-amino-3-N-2-carboxypropyl)uracil, (acp3)w,and 2,6-diaminopurine.

The antisense oligonucleotide can also comprise at least one modifiedsugar moiety selected from the group including but not limited toarabinose, 2-fluoroarabinose, xylulose, and hexose.

In yet another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotide will compriseat least one modified phosphate backbone selected from the groupconsisting of a phosphorothioate, a phosphorodithioate, aphosphoramidothioate, a phosphoramidate, a phosphordiamidate, amethylphosphonate, an alkyl phosphotriester, and a formacetal or analogthereof.

In yet another embodiment, the antisense oligonucleotide is anα-anomeric oligonucleotide. An α-anomeric oligonucleotide forms specificdouble-stranded hybrids with complementary RNA in which, contrary to theusual β-units, the strands run parallel to each other (Gautier et al.,1987, Nucl. Acids Res. 15:6625-6641). The oligonucleotide is a2′-O-methylribonucleotide (Inoue et al., 1987, Nucl. Acids Res.15:6131-6148), or a chimeric RNA-DNA analogue (Inoue et al., 1987, FEBSLett. 215:327-330). Alternatively, double stranded RNA can be used todisrupt the expression and function of a targeted NHP.

Oligonucleotides of the invention can be synthesized by standard methodsknown in the art, e.g. by use of an automated DNA synthesizer (such asare commercially available from Biosearch, Applied Biosystems, etc.). Asexamples, phosphorothioate oligonucleotides can be synthesized by themethod of Stein et al. (1988, Nucl. Acids Res. 16:3209), andmethylphosphonate oligonucleotides can be prepared by use of controlledpore glass polymer supports (Sarin et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.U.S.A. 85:7448-7451), etc.

Low stringency conditions are well known to those of skill in the art,and will vary predictably depending on the specific organisms from whichthe library and the labeled sequences are derived. For guidanceregarding such conditions see, for example, Sambrook et al., 1989,Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual (and periodic updates thereof),Cold Springs Harbor Press, N.Y.; and Ausubel et al., 1989, CurrentProtocols in Molecular Biology, Green Publishing Associates and WileyInterscience, N.Y.

Alternatively, suitably labeled NHP nucleotide probes can be used toscreen a human genomic library using appropriately stringent conditionsor by PCR. The identification and characterization of human genomicclones is helpful for identifying polymorphisms (including, but notlimited to, nucleotide repeats, microsatellite alleles, singlenucleotide polymorphisms, or coding single nucleotide polymorphisms),determining the genomic structure of a given locus/allele, and designingdiagnostic tests. For example, sequences derived from regions adjacentto the intron/exon boundaries of the human gene can be used to designprimers for use in amplification assays to detect mutations within theexons, introns, splice sites (e.g., splice acceptor and/or donor sites),etc., that can be used in diagnostics and pharmacogenomics.

Further, a NHP gene homolog can be isolated from nucleic acid from anorganism of interest by performing PCR using two degenerate or “wobble”oligonucleotide primer pools designed on the basis of amino acidsequences within the NHP products disclosed herein. The template for thereaction may be total RNA, mRNA, and/or cDNA obtained by reversetranscription of mRNA prepared from, for example, human or non-humancell lines or tissue known or suspected to express an allele of a NHPgene. The PCR product can be subcloned and sequenced to ensure that theamplified sequences represent the sequence of the desired NHP gene. ThePCR fragment can then be used to isolate a full length cDNA clone by avariety of methods. For example, the amplified fragment can be labeledand used to screen a cDNA library, such as a bacteriophage cDNA library.Alternatively, the labeled fragment can be used to isolate genomicclones via the screening of a genomic library.

PCR technology can also be used to isolate full length cDNA sequences.For example, RNA can be isolated, following standard procedures, from anappropriate cellular or tissue source (i.e., one known, or suspected, toexpress a NHP gene). A reverse transcription (RT) reaction can beperformed on the RNA using an oligonucleotide primer specific for themost 5′ end of the amplified fragment for the priming of first strandsynthesis. The resulting RNA/DNA hybrid may then be “tailed” using astandard terminal transferase reaction, the hybrid may be digested withRNase H, and second strand synthesis may then be primed with acomplementary primer. Thus, cDNA sequences upstream of the amplifiedfragment can be isolated. For a review of cloning strategies that can beused, see e.g., Sambrook et al., 1989, supra.

A cDNA encoding a mutant NHP gene can be isolated, for example, by usingPCR. In this case, the first cDNA strand may be synthesized byhybridizing an oligo-dT oligonucleotide to mRNA isolated from tissueknown or suspected to be expressed in an individual putatively carryinga mutant NHP allele, and by extending the new strand with reversetranscriptase. The second strand of the cDNA is then synthesized usingan oligonucleotide that hybridizes specifically to the 5′ end of thenormal gene. Using these two primers, the product is then amplified viaPCR, optionally cloned into a suitable vector, and subjected to DNAsequence analysis through methods well known to those of skill in theart. By comparing the DNA sequence of the mutant NHP allele to that of acorresponding normal NHP allele, the mutation(s) responsible for theloss or alteration of function of the mutant NHP gene product can beascertained.

Alternatively, a genomic library can be constructed using DNA obtainedfrom an individual suspected of or known to carry a mutant NHP allele(e.g., a person manifesting a NHP-associated phenotype such as, forexample, immune disorders, obesity, high blood pressure, etc.), or acDNA library can be constructed using RNA from a tissue known, orsuspected, to express a mutant NHP allele. A normal NHP gene, or anysuitable fragment thereof, can then be labeled and used as a probe toidentify the corresponding mutant NHP allele in such libraries. Clonescontaining mutant NHP gene sequences can then be purified and subjectedto sequence analysis according to methods well known to those skilled inthe art.

Additionally, an expression library can be constructed utilizing cDNAsynthesized from, for example, RNA isolated from a tissue known, orsuspected, to express a mutant NHP allele in an individual suspected ofor known to carry such a mutant allele. In this manner, gene productsmade by the putatively mutant tissue may be expressed and screened usingstandard antibody screening techniques in conjunction with antibodiesraised against a normal NHP product, as described below. (For screeningtechniques, see, for example, Harlow, E. and Lane, eds., 1988,“Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual”, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold SpringHarbor, N.Y.)

Additionally, screening can be accomplished by screening with labeledNHP fusion proteins, such as, for example, alkaline phosphatase-NHP orNHP-alkaline phosphatase fusion proteins. In cases where a NHP mutationresults in an expressed gene product with altered function (e.g., as aresult of a missense or a frameshift mutation), polyclonal antibodies toa NHP are likely to cross-react with a corresponding mutant NHP geneproduct. Library clones detected via their reaction with such labeledantibodies can be purified and subjected to sequence analysis accordingto methods well known in the art.

An additional application of the described novel human polynucleotidesequences is their use in the molecular mutagenesis/evolution ofproteins that are at least partially encoded by the described novelsequences using, for example, polynucleotide shuffling or relatedmethodologies. Such approaches are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,830,721, 5,837,458, and 5,723,323 which are herein incorporated byreference in their entirety.

The invention also encompasses (a) DNA vectors that contain any of theforegoing NHP coding sequences and/or their complements (i.e.,antisense); (b) DNA expression vectors that contain any of the foregoingNHP coding sequences operatively associated with a regulatory elementthat directs the expression of the coding sequences (for example, baculovirus as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,336 herein incorporated byreference); (c) genetically engineered host cells that contain any ofthe foregoing NHP coding sequences operatively associated with aregulatory element that directs the expression of the coding sequencesin the host cell; and (d) genetically engineered host cells that expressan endogenous NHP gene under the control of an exogenously introducedregulatory element (i.e., gene activation). As used herein, regulatoryelements include, but are not limited to, inducible and non-induciblepromoters, enhancers, operators and other elements known to thoseskilled in the art that drive and regulate expression. Such regulatoryelements include but are not limited to the cytomegalovirus (hCMV)immediate early gene, regulatable, viral elements (particularlyretroviral LTR promoters), the early or late promoters of SV40adenovirus, the lac system, the trp system, the TAC system, the TRCsystem, the major operator and promoter regions of phage lambda, thecontrol regions of fd coat protein, the promoter for 3-phosphoglyceratekinase (PGK), the promoters of acid phosphatase, and the promoters ofthe yeast α-mating factors.

Where, as in the present instance, some of the described NHP peptides orpolypeptides are thought to be cytoplasmic or nuclear proteins (althoughprocessed forms or fragments can be secreted or membrane associated),expression systems can be engineered that produce soluble derivatives ofa NHP (corresponding to a NHP extracellular and/or intracellulardomains, or truncated polypeptides lacking one or more hydrophobicdomains) and/or NHP fusion protein products (especially NHP-Ig fusionproteins, i.e., fusions of a NHP domain to an IgFc), NHP antibodies, andanti-idiotypic antibodies (including Fab fragments) that can be used intherapeutic applications. Preferably, the above expression systems areengineered to allow the desired peptide or polypeptide to be recoveredfrom the culture media.

The present invention also encompasses antibodies and anti-idiotypicantibodies (including Fab fragments), antagonists and agonists of a NHP,as well as compounds or nucleotide constructs that inhibit expression ofa NHP gene (transcription factor inhibitors, antisense and ribozymemolecules, or gene or regulatory sequence replacement constructs), orpromote the expression of a NHP (e.g., expression constructs in whichNHP coding sequences are operatively associated with expression controlelements such as promoters, promoter/enhancers, etc.).

The NHPs or NHP peptides, NHP fusion proteins, NHP nucleotide sequences,antibodies, antagonists and agonists can be useful for the detection ofmutant NHPs or inappropriately expressed NHPs for the diagnosis ofdisease. The NHP proteins or peptides, NHP fusion proteins, NHPnucleotide sequences, host cell expression systems, antibodies,antagonists, agonists and genetically engineered cells and animals canbe used for screening for drugs (or high throughput screening ofcombinatorial libraries) effective in the treatment of the symptomaticor phenotypic manifestations of perturbing the normal function of a NHPin the body. The use of engineered host cells and/or animals can offeran advantage in that such systems allow not only for the identificationof compounds that bind to the endogenous receptor/ligand of a NHP, butcan also identify compounds that trigger NHP-mediated activities orpathways.

Finally, the NHP products can be used as therapeutics. For example,soluble derivatives such as NHP peptides/domains corresponding to NHPs,NHP fusion protein products (especially NHP-Ig fusion proteins, i.e.,fusions of a NHP, or a domain of a NHP, to an IgFc), NHP antibodies andanti-idiotypic antibodies (including Fab fragments), antagonists oragonists (including compounds that modulate or act on downstream targetsin a NHP-mediated pathway) can be used to directly treat diseases ordisorders. For instance, the administration of an effective amount ofsoluble NHP, or a NHP-IgFc fusion protein or an anti-idiotypic antibody(or its Fab) that mimics the NHP could activate or effectivelyantagonize the endogenous NHP or a protein interactive therewith.Nucleotide constructs encoding such NHP products can be used togenetically engineer host cells to express such products in vivo; thesegenetically engineered cells function as “bioreactors” in the bodydelivering a continuous supply of a NHP, a NHP peptide, or a NHP fusionprotein to the body. Nucleotide constructs encoding functional NHPs,mutant NHPs, as well as antisense and ribozyme molecules can also beused in “gene therapy” approaches for the modulation of NHP expression.Thus, the invention also encompasses pharmaceutical formulations andmethods for treating biological disorders.

Various aspects of the invention are described in greater detail in thesubsections below.

5.1 THE NHP SEQUENCES

The cDNA sequences and corresponding deduced amino acid sequences of thedescribed NHPs are presented in the Sequence Listing.

Expression analysis has provided evidence that the described NHPs can beexpressed in a wide range of human tissues as well as gene trapped humancells. In addition to serine/threonine kinases, the described NHPs alsoshare significant similarity to a range of additional kinase familiesfrom a variety of phyla and species.

A number of polymorphisms can occur in the described NHPs such as apossible A-T transversion that can occur in the sequence regioncorresponding to, for example, nucleotide position 2939 of SEQ ID NO:1that can result in a S or T being present in the corresponding aminoacid sequence represented by, for example, position 977 of SEQ ID NO:2,and a possible G-or-T transversion at the sequence position representedby, for example, nucleotide 5424 of SEQ ID NO:1 that can result in a Mor I being present in the corresponding amino acid sequence representedby, for example, position 1808 of SEQ ID NO:2.

An additional application of the described novel human polynucleotidesequences is their use in the molecular mutagenesis/evolution ofproteins that are at least partially encoded by the described novelsequences using, for example, polynucleotide shuffling or relatedmethodologies. Such approaches are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,830,721and 5,837,458 which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

NHP gene products can also be expressed in transgenic animals. Animalsof any species, including, but not limited to, worms, mice, rats,rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, micro-pigs, birds, goats, and non-humanprimates, e.g., baboons, monkeys, and chimpanzees may be used togenerate NHP transgenic animals.

Any technique known in the art may be used to introduce a NHP transgeneinto animals to produce the founder lines of transgenic animals. Suchtechniques include, but are not limited to pronuclear microinjection(Hoppe, P. C. and Wagner, T. E., 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,191);retrovirus mediated gene transfer into germ lines (Van der Putten etal., 1985, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 82:6148-6152); gene targeting inembryonic stem cells (Thompson et al., 1989, Cell 56:313-321);electroporation of embryos (Lo, 1983, Mol Cell. Biol. 3:1803-1814); andsperm-mediated gene transfer (Lavitrano et al., 1989, Cell 57:717-723);etc. For a review of such techniques, see Gordon, 1989, TransgenicAnimals, Intl. Rev. Cytol. 115:171-229, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

The present invention provides for transgenic animals that carry the NHPtransgene in all their cells, as well as animals which carry thetransgene in some, but not all their cells, i.e., mosaic animals orsomatic cell transgenic animals. The transgene may be integrated as asingle transgene or in concatamers, e.g., head-to-head tandems orhead-to-tail tandems. The transgene may also be selectively introducedinto and activated in a particular cell type by following, for example,the teaching of Lasko et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA89:6232-6236. The regulatory sequences required for such a cell-typespecific activation will depend upon the particular cell type ofinterest, and will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

When it is desired that a NHP transgene be integrated into thechromosomal site of the endogenous NHP gene, gene targeting ispreferred. Briefly, when such a technique is to be utilized, vectorscontaining some nucleotide sequences homologous to the endogenous NHPgene are designed for the purpose of integrating, via homologousrecombination with chromosomal sequences, into and disrupting thefunction of the nucleotide sequence of the endogenous NHP gene (i.e.,“knockout” animals).

The transgene can also be selectively introduced into a particular celltype, thus inactivating the endogenous NHP gene in only that cell type,by following, for example, the teaching of Gu et al., 1994, Science,265:103-106. The regulatory sequences required for such a cell-typespecific inactivation will depend upon the particular cell type ofinterest, and will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Once transgenic animals have been generated, the expression of therecombinant NHP gene may be assayed utilizing standard techniques.Initial screening may be accomplished by Southern blot analysis or PCRtechniques to analyze animal tissues to assay whether integration of thetransgene has taken place. The level of mRNA expression of the transgenein the tissues of the transgenic animals may also be assessed usingtechniques which include but are not limited to Northern blot analysisof tissue samples obtained from the animal, in situ hybridizationanalysis, and RT-PCR. Samples of NHP gene-expressing tissue, may also beevaluated immunocytochemically using antibodies specific for the NHPtransgene product.

5.2 NHPS AND NHP POLYPEPTIDES

NHP products, polypeptides, peptide fragments, mutated, truncated, ordeleted forms of the NHPs, and/or NHP fusion proteins can be preparedfor a variety of uses. These uses include, but are not limited to thegeneration of antibodies, as reagents in diagnostic assays, theidentification of other cellular gene products related to the NHP, asreagents in assays for screening for compounds that can be used aspharmaceutical reagents useful in the therapeutic treatment of mental,biological, or medical disorders and disease.

The Sequence Listing discloses the amino acid sequences encoded by thedescribed NHP-encoding polynucleotides. The NHPs display initiatormethionines in a DNA sequence context consistent with eucaryotictranslation initiation site.

The NHP amino acid sequences of the invention include the amino acidsequences presented in the Sequence Listing as well as analogues andderivatives thereof. Further, corresponding NHP homologues from otherspecies are encompassed by the invention. In fact, any NHP proteinencoded by the NHP nucleotide sequences described above are within thescope of the invention, as are any novel polynucleotide sequencesencoding all or any novel portion of an amino acid sequence presented inthe Sequence Listing. The degenerate nature of the genetic code is wellknown, and, accordingly, each amino acid presented in the SequenceListing, is generically representative of the well known nucleic acid“triplet” codon, or in many cases codons, that can encode the aminoacid. As such, as contemplated herein, the amino acid sequencespresented in the Sequence Listing, when taken together with the geneticcode (see, for example, Table 4-1 at page 109 of “Molecular CellBiology”, 1986, J. Darnell et al. eds., Scientific American Books, NewYork, N.Y., herein incorporated by reference) are genericallyrepresentative of all the various permutations and combinations ofnucleic acid sequences that can encode such amino acid sequences.

The invention also encompasses proteins that are functionally equivalentto the NHPs encoded by the presently described nucleotide sequences asjudged by any of a number of criteria, including, but not limited to,the ability to bind and modify a NHP substrate, or the ability to effectan identical or complementary downstream pathway, or a change incellular metabolism (e.g., proteolytic activity, ion flux, tyrosinephosphorylation, etc.). Such functionally equivalent NHP proteinsinclude, but are not limited to, additions or substitutions of aminoacid residues within the amino acid sequence encoded by a NHP nucleotidesequence described above, but which result in a silent change, thusproducing a functionally equivalent gene product. Amino acidsubstitutions may be made on the basis of similarity in polarity,charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or theamphipathic nature of the residues involved. For example, nonpolar(hydrophobic) amino acids include alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine,proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and methionine; polar neutral aminoacids include glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine,asparagine, and glutamine; positively charged (basic) amino acidsinclude arginine, lysine, and histidine; and negatively charged (acidic)amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid.

A variety of host-expression vector systems can be used to express theNHP nucleotide sequences of the invention. Where the NHP peptide orpolypeptide can exist, or has been engineered to exist, as a soluble orsecreted molecule, the soluble NHP peptide or polypeptide can berecovered from the culture media. Such expression systems also encompassengineered host cells that express a NHP, or functional equivalent, insitu. Purification or enrichment of a NHP from such expression systemscan be accomplished using appropriate detergents and lipid micelles andmethods well known to those skilled in the art. However, such engineeredhost cells themselves may be used in situations where it is importantnot only to retain the structural and functional characteristics of theNHP, but to assess biological activity, e.g., in drug screening assays.

The expression systems that may be used for purposes of the inventioninclude but are not limited to microorganisms such as bacteria (e.g., E.coli, B. subtilis) transformed with recombinant bacteriophage DNA,plasmid DNA or cosmid DNA expression vectors containing NHP nucleotidesequences; yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces, Pichia) transformed withrecombinant yeast expression vectors containing NHP nucleotidesequences; insect cell systems infected with recombinant virusexpression vectors (e.g., baculovirus) containing NHP sequences; plantcell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g.,cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV; tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) ortransformed with recombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Tiplasmid) containing NHP nucleotide sequences; or mammalian cell systems(e.g., COS, CHO, BHK, 293, 3T3) harboring recombinant expressionconstructs containing promoters derived from the genome of mammaliancells (e.g., metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (e.g.,the adenovirus late promoter; the vaccinia virus 7.5 K promoter).

In bacterial systems, a number of expression vectors may beadvantageously selected depending upon the use intended for the NHPproduct being expressed. For example, when a large quantity of such aprotein is to be produced for the generation of pharmaceuticalcompositions of or containing NHP, or for raising antibodies to a NHP,vectors that direct the expression of high levels of fusion proteinproducts that are readily purified may be desirable. Such vectorsinclude, but are not limited, to the E. coli expression vector pUR278(Ruther et al., 1983, EMBO J. 2:1791), in which a NHP coding sequencemay be ligated individually into the vector in frame with the lacZcoding region so that a fusion protein is produced; pIN vectors (Inouye& Inouye, 1985, Nucleic Acids Res. 13:3101-3109; Van Heeke & Schuster,1989, J. Biol. Chem. 264:5503-5509); and the like. pGEX vectors may alsobe used to express foreign polypeptides as fusion proteins withglutathione S-transferase (GST). In general, such fusion proteins aresoluble and can easily be purified from lysed cells by adsorption toglutathione-agarose beads followed by elution in the presence of freeglutathione. The PGEX vectors are designed to include thrombin or factorXa protease cleavage sites so that the cloned target gene product can bereleased from the GST moiety.

In an insect system, Autographa californica nuclear polyhidrosis virus(AcNPV) is used as a vector to express foreign genes. The virus grows inSpodoptera frugiperda cells. A NHP encoding polynucleotide sequence canbe cloned individually into non-essential regions (for example thepolyhedrin gene) of the virus and placed under control of an AcNPVpromoter (for example the polyhedrin promoter). Successful insertion ofNHP gene coding sequence will result in inactivation of the polyhedringene and production of non-occluded recombinant virus (i.e., viruslacking the proteinaceous coat coded for by the polyhedrin gene). Theserecombinant viruses are then used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda cellsin which the inserted gene is expressed (e.g., see Smith et al., 1983,J. Virol. 46: 584; Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,051).

In mammalian host cells, a number of viral-based expression systems maybe utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an expressionvector, the NHP nucleotide sequence of interest may be ligated to anadenovirus transcription/translation control complex, e.g., the latepromoter and tripartite leader sequence. This chimeric gene can then beinserted in the adenovirus genome by in vitro or in vivo recombination.Insertion in a non-essential region of the viral genome (e.g., region E1or E3) will result in a recombinant virus that is viable and capable ofexpressing a NHP product in infected hosts (e.g., See Logan & Shenk,1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3655-3659). Specific initiationsignals may also be required for efficient translation of inserted NHPnucleotide sequences. These signals include the ATG initiation codon andadjacent sequences. In cases where an entire NHP gene or cDNA, includingits own initiation codon and adjacent sequences, is inserted into theappropriate expression vector, no additional translational controlsignals may be needed. However, in cases where only a portion of a NHPcoding sequence is inserted, exogenous translational control signals,including, perhaps, the ATG initiation codon, must be provided.Furthermore, the initiation codon must be in phase with the readingframe of the desired coding sequence to ensure translation of the entireinsert. These exogenous translational control signals and initiationcodons can be of a variety of origins, both natural and synthetic. Theefficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusion of appropriatetranscription enhancer elements, transcription terminators, etc. (SeeBitter et al., 1987, Methods in Enzymol. 153:516-544).

In addition, a host cell strain may be chosen that modulates theexpression of the inserted sequences, or modifies and processes the geneproduct in the specific fashion desired. Such modifications (e.g.,glycosylation) and processing (e.g., cleavage) of protein products maybe important for the function of the protein. Different host cells havecharacteristic and specific mechanisms for the post-translationalprocessing and modification of proteins and gene products. Appropriatecell lines or host systems can be chosen to ensure the correctmodification and processing of the foreign protein expressed. To thisend, eukaryotic host cells which possess the cellular machinery forproper processing of the primary transcript, glycosylation, andphosphorylation of the gene product may be used. Such mammalian hostcells include, but are not limited to, CHO, VERO, BHK, HeLa, COS, MDCK,293, 3T3, WI38, and in particular, human cell lines.

For long-term, high-yield production of recombinant proteins, stableexpression is preferred. For example, cell lines that stably express theNHP sequences described above can be engineered. Rather than usingexpression vectors which contain viral origins of replication, hostcells can be transformed with DNA controlled by appropriate expressioncontrol elements (e.g., promoter, enhancer sequences, transcriptionterminators, polyadenylation sites, etc.), and a selectable marker.Following the introduction of the foreign DNA, engineered cells may beallowed to grow for 1-2 days in an enriched media, and then are switchedto a selective media. The selectable marker in the recombinant plasmidconfers resistance to the selection and allows cells to stably integratethe plasmid into their chromosomes and grow to form foci which in turncan be cloned and expanded into cell lines. This method mayadvantageously be used to engineer cell lines which express the NHPproduct. Such engineered cell lines may be particularly useful inscreening and evaluation of compounds that affect the endogenousactivity of the NHP product.

A number of selection systems can be used, including but not limited tothe herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Wigler, et al., 1977, Cell11:223), hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (Szybalska &Szybalski, 1962, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 48:2026), and adeninephosphoribosyltransferase (Lowy, et al., 1980, Cell 22:817) genes can beemployed in tk⁻, hgprt⁻ or aprt⁻ cells, respectively. Also,antimetabolite resistance can be used as the basis of selection for thefollowing genes: dhfr, which confers resistance to methotrexate (Wigler,et al., 1980, Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:3567; O'Hare, et al., 1981, Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:1527); gpt, which confers resistance tomycophenolic acid (Mulligan & Berg, 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA78:2072); neo, which confers resistance to the aminoglycoside G-418(Colberre-Garapin, et al., 1981, J. Mol. Biol. 150:1); and hygro, whichconfers resistance to hygromycin (Santerre, et al., 1984, Gene 30:147).

Alternatively, any fusion protein can be readily purified by utilizingan antibody specific for the fusion protein being expressed. Forexample, a system described by Janknecht et al. allows for the readypurification of non-denatured fusion proteins expressed in human celllines (Janknecht, et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA88:8972-8976). In this system, the gene of interest is subcloned into avaccinia recombination plasmid such that the gene's open reading frameis translationally fused to an amino-terminal tag consisting of sixhistidine residues. Extracts from cells infected with recombinantvaccinia virus are loaded onto Ni2′ nitriloacetic acid-agarose columnsand histidine-tagged proteins are selectively eluted withimidazole-containing buffers.

Also encompassed by the present invention are fusion proteins thatdirect the NHP to a target organ and/or facilitate transport across themembrane into the cytosol. Conjugation of NHPs to antibody molecules ortheir Fab fragments could be used to target cells bearing a particularepitope. Attaching the appropriate signal sequence to the NHP would alsotransport the NHP to the desired location within the cell. Alternativelytargeting of NHP or its nucleic acid sequence might be achieved usingliposome or lipid complex based delivery systems. Such technologies aredescribed in Liposomes:A Practical Approach, New, RRC ed., OxfordUniversity Press, New York and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,594,595, 5,459,127,5,948,767 and 6,110,490 and their respective disclosures which areherein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Additionallyembodied are novel protein constructs engineered in such a way that theyfacilitate transport of the NHP to the target site or desired organ.This goal may be achieved by coupling of the NHP to a cytokine or otherligand that provides targeting specificity, and/or to a proteintransducing domain (see generally U.S. application Ser. Nos. 60/111,701and 60/056,713, both of which are herein incorporated by reference, forexamples of such transducing sequences) to facilitate passage acrosscellular membranes if needed and can optionally be engineered to includenuclear localization sequences when desired.

5.3 ANTIBODIES TO NHP PRODUCTS

Antibodies that specifically recognize one or more epitopes of a NHP, orepitopes of conserved variants of a NHP, or peptide fragments of a NHPare also encompassed by the invention. Such antibodies include but arenot limited to polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs),humanized or chimeric antibodies, single chain antibodies, Fabfragments, F(ab′)₂ fragments, fragments produced by a Fab expressionlibrary, anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibodies, and epitope-bindingfragments of any of the above.

The antibodies of the invention can be used, for example, in thedetection of NHP in a biological sample and may, therefore, be utilizedas part of a diagnostic or prognostic technique whereby patients may betested for abnormal amounts of NHP. Such antibodies may also be utilizedin conjunction with, for example, compound screening schemes for theevaluation of the effect of test compounds on expression and/or activityof a NHP gene product. Additionally, such antibodies can be used inconjunction gene therapy to, for example, evaluate the normal and/orengineered NHP-expressing cells prior to their introduction into thepatient. Such antibodies may additionally be used as a method for theinhibition of abnormal NHP activity. Thus, such antibodies may,therefore, be utilized as part of treatment methods.

For the production of antibodies, various host animals may be immunizedby injection with the NHP, a NHP peptide (e.g., one corresponding to afunctional domain of a NHP), truncated NHP polypeptides (NHP in whichone or more domains have been deleted), functional equivalents of theNHP or mutated variant of the NHP. Such host animals may include but arenot limited to pigs, rabbits, mice, goats, and rats, to name but a few.Various adjuvants may be used to increase the immunological response,depending on the host species, including but not limited to Freund'sadjuvant (complete and incomplete), mineral salts such as aluminumhydroxide or aluminum phosphate, surface active substances such aslysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, andpotentially useful human adjuvants such as BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin)and Corynebacterium parvum. Alternatively, the immune response could beenhanced by combination and or coupling with molecules such as keyholelimpet hemocyanin, tetanus toxoid, diptheria toxoid, ovalbumin, choleratoxin or fragments thereof. Polyclonal antibodies are heterogeneouspopulations of antibody molecules derived from the sera of the immunizedanimals.

Monoclonal antibodies, which are homogeneous populations of antibodiesto a particular antigen, can be obtained by any technique which providesfor the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines inculture. These include, but are not limited to, the hybridoma techniqueof Kohler and Milstein, (1975, Nature 256:495-497; and U.S. Pat. No.4,376,110), the human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kosbor et al., 1983,Immunology Today 4:72; Cole et al., 1983, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA80:2026-2030), and the EBV-hybridoma technique (Cole et al., 1985,Monoclonal Antibodies And Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp.77-96). Such antibodies may be of any immunoglobulin class includingIgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, IgD and any subclass thereof. The hybridomaproducing the mAb of this invention may be cultivated in vitro or invivo. Production of high titers of mAbs in vivo makes this the presentlypreferred method of production.

In addition, techniques developed for the production of “chimericantibodies” (Morrison et al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.,81:6851-6855; Neuberger et al., 1984, Nature, 312:604-608; Takeda etal., 1985, Nature, 314:452-454) by splicing the genes from a mouseantibody molecule of appropriate antigen specificity together with genesfrom a human antibody molecule of appropriate biological activity can beused. A chimeric antibody is a molecule in which different portions arederived from different animal species, such as those having a variableregion derived from a murine mAb and a human immunoglobulin constantregion. Such technologies are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,075,181 and5,877,397 and their respective disclosures which are herein incorporatedby reference in their entirety. Also encompassed by the presentinvention is the use of fully humanized monoclonal antibodies asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,584 and respective disclosures whichare herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Alternatively, techniques described for the production of single chainantibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778; Bird, 1988, Science 242:423-426;Huston et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883; and Wardet al., 1989, Nature 341:544-546) can be adapted to produce single chainantibodies against NHP gene products. Single chain antibodies are formedby linking the heavy and light chain fragments of the Fv region via anamino acid bridge, resulting in a single chain polypeptide.

Antibody fragments which recognize specific epitopes may be generated byknown techniques. For example, such fragments include, but are notlimited to: the F(ab′)₂ fragments which can be produced by pepsindigestion of the antibody molecule and the Fab fragments which can begenerated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab′)₂ fragments.Alternatively, Fab expression libraries may be constructed (Huse et al.,1989, Science, 246:1275-1281) to allow rapid and easy identification ofmonoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity.

Antibodies to a NHP can, in turn, be utilized to generate anti-idiotypeantibodies that “mimic” a given NHP, using techniques well known tothose skilled in the art. (See, e.g., Greenspan & Bona, 1993, FASEB J7(5):437-444; and Nissinoff, 1991, J. Immunol. 147(8):2429-2438). Forexample antibodies which bind to a NHP domain and competitively inhibitthe binding of NHP to its cognate receptor/ligand can be used togenerate anti-idiotypes that “mimic” the NHP and, therefore, bind,activate, or neutralize a NHP, NHP receptor, or NHP ligand. Suchanti-idiotypic antibodies or Fab fragments of such anti-idiotypes can beused in therapeutic regimens involving a NHP mediated pathway.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specificembodiments described herein, which are intended as single illustrationsof individual aspects of the invention, and functionally equivalentmethods and components are within the scope of the invention. Indeed,various modifications of the invention, in addition to those shown anddescribed herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe foregoing description. Such modifications are intended to fallwithin the scope of the appended claims. All cited publications,patents, and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING The patent contains a lengthy “Sequence Listing”section. A copy of the “Sequence Listing” is available in electronicform from the USPTO web site(http://seqdata.uspto.gov/sequence.html?DocID=06541252B1). An electroniccopy of the “Sequence Listing” will also be available from the USPTOupon request and payment of the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.19(b)(3).

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising anucleotide sequence that: (a) encodes the amino acid sequence shown inSEQ ID NO:14; and (b) hybridizes under highly stringent conditions tothe nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 or the complement thereof understringent conditions of 0.5 M NaH PO₄, 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS),1 mM EDTA at 65° C., and washing in 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS at 68° C.
 2. Anisolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encodingthe amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:14.
 3. An isolated nucleicacid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:13.
 4. Arecombinant expression vector comprising the isolated nucleic acidmolecule of claim
 2. 5. The recombinant expression vector of claim 4,wherein said nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleotide sequence ofSEQ ID NO:13.
 6. A host cell comprising the recombinant expressionvector of claim 4.